Albania reports new cyber attack by Iran: Police system targeted

The Ministry of the Interior of Albania announced today that one of its systems at the border crossings was affected by a cyber attack, and that it came from the same Iranian source as the previous one that led to the severance of diplomatic relations with Iran.

The announcement states that last night it was determined that the communication system of the Albanian police "is under a cyber attack similar to the one that the government portal E-Albania suffered in July".

"Preliminary results show that the attack was carried out by the same hand," the statement said, adding that the authorities temporarily shut down all systems, including the information management system (TIMS), which records entries and exits at border crossings.

Local media reported long lines at at least two border crossings in the south.

Albania, a NATO member, severed diplomatic ties with Iran and expelled embassy staff this Sunday. It is the first known case of a country cutting off diplomatic relations due to a cyber attack.

"Another cyber attack by the same aggressors already exposed and condemned by Albania's allies and friendly countries was recorded last night on the TIMS system," Prime Minister Edi Rama tweeted today, adding that officials are coordinating defense work with allies.

The US government on Friday imposed sanctions on Iran's intelligence agency and its leadership in response to a cyber attack on Albania. NATO and the European Union also condemned the attack and supported Albania's move.